Pack of wipes with enhanced dispensing

ABSTRACT

A pack of wipes including multiple wipes arranged in a stack and an external envelope enclosing the stack. The external envelope includes a dispensing orifice and the wipes are folded so as to include a leading panel, a central panel, a trailing panel, a leading fold and a trailing fold, wherein the leading fold separates the leading panel from the central panel and the trailing fold separates the central panel from the trailing panel. The stack has a first wipe and a second wipe. The first wipe is placed closest to the dispensing orifice and the second wipe is positioned next to the first wipe in the stack, wherein the removal of the first wipe through the dispensing orifice induces a portion of the central panel of the second wipe and a portion of the leading panel of the second wipe to protrude from the dispensing orifice and to stay in contact to each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.60/718,030, filed Sep. 16, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of dispensing substantially flatarticles such as wipes out of a pack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wipes are substantially flat articles commonly used to help cleaning andremoving residues from soft or hard surfaces such as floors or parts ofthe human body. Wipes are conventionally provided with a composition,for example a cleansing lotion, intended to facilitate the intendedaction of the wipe. Wipes are generally provided as stacks of multiplewipes enclosed in an envelope (i.e. a hard container or a flexiblepouch). A dispensing orifice allows for the wipes to be dispensedindividually.

Using conventional packs of wipes it is known that the users canencounter a variety of problems. For example, the first wipe of thestack can be difficult to reach and to dispense out of the pack.Conventionally the issue can be partially solved by interfolding thewipes in the stack so as to have a first wipe of the stack lifting aportion of a second wipe of the stack. The lifted portion, so called“exposed leading portion” is easy to reach. However, the exposed leadingportion of a wipe can be difficult to grip as it stands-out without thesupport of the underneath wipes. This is especially important when thewipes are provided with a liquid composition that softens the material,making it less rigid, hence more difficult to grip.

Also, the stack of wipes can be subject to significant evaporation. Theso-called “dry-out” of the stack of wipes has a direct negativeinfluence on the performance of the wipes. This problem isconventionally addressed by provided a dispensing orifice having arelatively small area of opening. Other ways to address the problem,that can be combined, include (a) providing a reseal lid or reseal labelthat can reduce the rate or amount of evaporation, (b) providing thestack of wipes with a reserve quantity of composition to balance out theexpected evaporation, (c) configuring the interfolding of the wipes soas to obtain the lift of a reduced portion of the second wipe, henceexposing only a reduced portion of the wipe (exposed leading portion) topotential evaporation.

These solutions, however, can in turn impair the accessibility of thewipes. An exposed leading edge with a small dimension is typically moredifficult to grip than an edge with a greater dimension. A smalldispensing orifice can impair the ease of accessing the first wipe, asthe user may have more difficulty to reach the edge of the first wipeand to grip it for dispensing the wipe.

Hence, there is a need to provide a pack of wipes that provides animproved balance between reduced dry-out effect and accessibility of thewipes. There is a need for a pack of wipes that dispenses out of a packeasily and is conveniently accessible to the user. There is a need for apack of wipes which exposed leading portions are easily gripable by theuser. There is a need for a reduced exposed leading portion of the wipestill providing adequate accessibility to the wipe for dispensing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a pack of wipes. The pack of wipescomprises a plurality of wipes arranged in a stack and an externalenvelope enclosing the stack. The external envelope comprises adispensing orifice. Each of the plurality of wipes is folded, each ofthe folded wipes comprises a leading panel, a central panel, a trailingpanel, a leading fold and a trailing fold. The leading fold separatesthe leading panel from the central panel and the trailing fold separatesthe central panel from the trailing panel. The stack has a first wipeand a second wipe. The first wipe is a wipe disposed proximate thedispensing orifice and the second wipe is positioned sequentiallyadjacent and in contacting engagement with the first wipe. The firstwipe remains in contacting engagement with the second wipe duringremoval of the first wipe through the dispensing orifice. The removal ofthe first wipe through the dispensing orifice induces a portion of thecentral panel of the second wipe and a portion of the leading panel ofthe second wipe to protrude from the dispensing orifice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention with the exposedleading edge of a wipe protruding from the dispensing orifice.

FIG. 2 is a schematic section of the pack of FIG. 1 through the line A-Bshowing the wipes interfolding configuration.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the folding of wipes of the packof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention, the pack beinga hard walled container.

FIG. 5 is a dispensing opening of a pack of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a dispensing opening of a pack of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a dispensing opening of a pack of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of another possible folding andstacking configuration of the wipes of pack of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the interfolding configurationfor a pack of wipes according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a wipe as used by theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of prior art pack of wipes andstacking configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally, wipes are articles comprising a substantially flat substrate.Conventionally wipes are articles used for cleaning, treating and/or andremoving residues from surfaces. The surfaces may include hard surfaces(such as the surface of a piece of furniture or a floor) or softsurfaces, including parts of a human body. Certain wipes include baby,children and adult wipes conventionally used for cleaning the anal areaof adults or children. Yet, other wipes includes articles for cleaningfloors, kitchen surfaces, windows or office surfaces. Other typicalwipes include tissues (e.g. facing cleansing tissues), paperhandkerchiefs (to clean the nasal area of the human body), kitchentowels and toilet papers. The substrate of the wipes is usually soft andflexible. The substrate can include synthetic fibers, natural fibers ormixtures thereof. Most common body cleaning wipes are made of apolyethylene/polypropylene substrate. The wipes are generallyimpregnated with a composition. The composition conventionallyfacilitates the removal of residues and/or delivers an active ingredientto the treated surface. The composition is conventionally fluid orsemi-fluid at ambient temperature. The wipes are generally characterizedby a width 17 and a length 18. The width 17 of the wipe isconventionally measured edge to edge, transverse to the dispensingdirection of the wipes. The length 18 of the wipes is conventionallymeasured parallel to the dispensing direction of the wipes. Wipes aretypically rectangular or quadratic. For most rectangular wipes, thelength 18 is greater than the width 17.

Folded wipes: Because wipes are generally larger than the pack from inwhich they are provided, the wipes are often folded. A conventionalfolding configuration creates 2 folds and 3 panels. As shown for examplein FIGS. 3 and 9, a leading panel 6, 6 a, 6 b articulates around aleading fold 7 to a central panel 8, 8 a, 8 b. The central panel 8, 8 a,8 b articulates around the trailing fold 9 to a trailing panel 10, 10 a,10 b. More panels and more folds can be provided. In particular thecentral panel 8, 8 a, 8 b can comprise more than one panel and compriseone or more folds. Conventionally the wipes are folded in a way thatdivides their length (i.e. the folding lines are transverse to thedispensing direction, parallel to the width of the wipes). The length 18of the wipes is measured edge to edge, unfolded.

Stack of wipes: Wipes are conventionally provided in selling unitscomprising multiple wipes. The wipes are conventionally folded andstacked one over the other to form a stack of wipes 13. Stacks of wipescan be made of interfolded wipes and non-interfolded wipes. The stack ofwipes 13 of FIG. 2 is interfolded whereas the stack of wipes 13 of FIG.8 is not interfolded. In interfolded stacks, at least a portion of asecond wipe in the stack is located in between portions of two panels ofa first wipe in the stack 13. First and second wipes are defined asbeing the most external wipes in the stack (first wipe) and the nextwipe in row (second wipe), when considering the intended order ofdispensing. Once the first wipe is dispensed, the second wipe becomesthe first wipe in the stack. As a typical interfolding configuration,FIG. 3 shows a portion of the central panel 8 b and of the leading panel6 b of the second wipe in the stack being located in between a portionof the central panel 8 a and of the trailing panel 10 a of the firstwipe in the stack. The manner the wipes are folded can create an overlap19 between two consecutive wipes. The overlap 19 is the portion of thetwo consecutive wipes that overlap with each other at the leading 7 andtrailing 9 folds. Further, a corner gap 20 may be created when theleading/trailing folds of two consecutive wipes do not touch each other.Typically the dimension of the corner gap 20 added to the dimension ofthe overlap 19 is equal to the dimension of the respective trailing 1 orleading 6 panels.

External envelope: Stacks of wipes are conventionally enclosed in anexternal envelope. The external envelop can serve as a protectiveenvelope and/or a selling unit and/or a dispensing device. The externalenvelope can be made of a flexible film (for example polyethylene orpolypropylene or mixture thereof) to a refill pouch or a flexible packconvenient for traveling. Alternatively, the external envelope can bemade of a rigid material to form rigid envelopes, a rigid container ortub. Typical materials for rigid tubs comprise polymeric resins. Otherscan comprise metals, ceramics, wood or other rigid materials.

Dispensing orifice: External envelopes generally comprise a dispensingorifice through which the enclosed wipes can be dispensed.Conventionally dispensing orifices 4 can have a variety of form anddimensions. FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show some conventional dispensing orifices4, respectively of oval, round and rectangular shape. The dispensingorifices 4 are characterized by a length 11 and a width 12. The length11 is the maximum dimension of the dispensing orifice 4 in a directionthat is substantially parallel to the leading edge 14 of the wipes. Thewidth 12 of the dispensing orifice 4 is the maximum dimension of thedispensing orifice 4 in a direction orthogonal to the length 11 of thedispensing orifices 4.

The pack of wipes of the invention comprises multiple wipes 3 forming astack of wipes 13, and an external envelop 2 having a dispensing orifice4. Upon dispensing of the first wipe of the stack a portion of thecentral panel 8 and a portion of the leading panel 6 of the next wipe onthe stack is lifted from the stack such as to protrude from thedispensing orifice 4. This protruding part of the wipe 3 is called theexposed leading portion 5. Whereas conventionally a single portion ofthe second wipe in the stack is lifted by the removal of the first wipe(usually a portion of the leading panel), the pack of wipes of thepresent invention is different in that the exposed leading portion 5 ofthe second wipe comprises both a portion of the leading panel 6, 6 a anda portion of the central panel 8, 8 a of the second wipe. These portionsare left unfolded during the dispensing of the first wipe. In theexposed leading portion 5 of the second wipe, the portion of the leadingpanel 6, 6 a contacts the portion of the central panel 8, 8 a and theseportions stay in contact after dispensing of the first wipe. Theconfiguration of these portions is an unfolded U-fold, and the exposedleading portion 5 is then at least partially dual-layer of the secondwipe. The contact surface can be over the whole width 17 of the wipe.Alternatively, the contact surface can be limited to an amount lesserthan the entire width 17 of the wipe, such as, for example, about ½,about ¼or about 1/10of the width 17 of the wipe or to an equivalentarea. Importantly, the contact surface is sufficient to induce orimprove grip-ability of the wipe. The contact area of the contactsurface can be at least about 1 cm², at least about 3 cm², or at leastabout 10 cm².

On the contrary, in the prior art pack of wipes (e.g. illustrated inFIG. 11), the exposed leading portion 5 is not a dual-layer but a singlelayer, and i.e. it is substantially or completely unfolded. In the packof wipes of the invention, thus, the leading fold 7 is also partiallyprotruding through the dispensing orifice 4. The exposed leading portion5 of the pack of wipes of the invention can comprise a partial duallayer of material (portions of leading and central panels contactingeach other). The dual layer exposed leading portion of the invention(e.g. 5 in FIGS. 2 and 8), may constitute a more rigid assembly incomparison to a conventional single layer exposed leading portion (e.g.5 in FIG. 11). The exposed leading portion of the wipe may then beeasier to grip and induce a more convenient dispensing of the wipes.Such a better grip allows for a relatively smaller length of the exposedportion (smaller length of material exposed). A shorter exposed portioncan reduce the drying out effect of the pack of wipes, as illustrated inTables 1a and 1b. Without being bound by the theory, it is believed thatthe beneficial effect of the invention is based on the fact that arelatively short and rigid dual layer exposed leading portion inducesless dry-out than a relatively long and floppy single layer exposedleading portion, while preserving an adequate grip of the first wipe.

Table 1a describes the frequency of the various lengths in mm of theexposed leading portions 5 in a typical pack of wipes of the invention.The normalized frequency of occurrence for each length range of theexposed leading portion is reported (measured from the edge of thedispensing orifice to the highest point of the fold 7). The datareported are frequencies over the measurement of 5 packs of 48 dispensedwipes. The packs of wipes of the invention measured are those describedin table 2a (with a round dispensing orifice 33 mm in diameter). Theprior art wipes have a material compositions as described in table 2b.However, they have a folding configuration as in FIG. 11 (prior art).Their folding has a center panel of about 80 mm, a leading panel ofabout 25 mm, and a corner gap of about 12 mm. While prior art showsfrequency peak around about 50 mm (average about 47 mm over one pack),the wipes of the invention show an average of about 18 mm with thehighest population around about 16 mm. This illustrates the shortexposed leading portions created by the packs of the present invention.TABLE 1a Bin (length in mm of exposed leading portion measured as PriorArt Invention described) (frequency) (frequency) 0 0.006494 0.014184 1 00 4 0 0 8 0 0.056738 12 0.002165 0.205674 16 0 0.262411 20 0.0129870.170213 24 0.012987 0.120567 28 0.028139 0.078014 32 0.073593 0.01418440 0.238095 0.014184 50 0.28355 0.056738 60 0.212121 0.007092 700.056277 0 80 0.034632 0 90 0.02381 0 100 0.008658 0 125 0.004329 0 1500.002165 0 Average 47 mm 18 mm

The mass loss over time of the exposed leading portions of wipes wasrecorded and is shown in Table 1b. For this purpose, about 27 mm of thedouble layered leading edge were cut off after the given drying time (t)over the full width of the wipe. The packs of wipes are the same asthose used for Table 1a.

Table 1b shows that after t=240 mins the mass-loss of the inventionremains stable while prior art samples dry-out to a much higher extent.This illustrates the reduced dry-out of the invention versus prior artwipes. TABLE 1b Drying time % mass loss (min) Prior Art Invention 0 0.0%0.0% 7.5 1.8% 5.5% 15 1.4% 4.8% 30 5.3% 6.7% 34 7.9% 36 4.3% 45 5.9% 603.0% 5.7% 120 9.0% 6.4% 130 9.8% 135 9.0% 12.5% 240 13.0% 12.3% 24215.8% 9.9% 480 16.9% 9.1% 500 13.3% 505 20.4% 1440 23.5% 14.3% 288040.0% 15.3% 2905 28.9% 14.5% 4320 38.5% 14.5% 4337 38.1% 5760 54.9% 738066.6% 13.1%

In one embodiment of the present invention, the length 11 of thedispensing orifice is between about 5 mm and about 120 mm or betweenabout 20 mm and about 100 mm. The length 11 can alternatively be betweenabout 30 mm and about 75 mm. In one embodiment, the length 11 of thedispensing orifice is about 75 mm and the width 17 of the wipes is about110 mm.

In one embodiment of the invention the width 17 of the wipes is betweenabout 50 mm and about 150 mm, alternatively between about 60 mm andabout 130 mm or between about 80 mm and about 120 mm. In an embodimentthe width 17 of the wipes is about 110 mm.

In one embodiment of the invention, the length 11 of the dispensingorifice is about 20% to about 70% of the width of the wipes.Alternatively, the length 11 of the dispensing orifice is about 30% toabout 50% of the width 17 of the wipes. Without being bound by thetheory, it is believed that within the above range, the friction betweenthe edges of the wipe and the edges of the dispensing orifices duringdispensing induces a relatively high adhesion between the first and thesecond wipe. This forces a portion of the leading panel 6 b and aportion of the central panel 8 b of the second wipe to be lifted such asto protrude from the dispensing orifice 4, forming a dual layer exposedleading portion 5. If the length 11 of the dispensing orifice isrelatively too large in comparison to the width 17 of the wipes, thenthe low friction of the wipe along the edges of the dispensing orificeinduces a complete unfolding of the wipe. The same occurs when thedispensing orifice 4 is too narrow in comparison to the width 17 of thewipes, caused by too high friction. Additionally, it is believed that adispensing orifice within above range induces less occurrence of“fall-back” (leading panel of a second wipe falling back into theexternal envelope and not protruding from the dispensing orifice—this isinconvenient for dispensing the wipes). Without desiring to be bound bytheory, it is believed that the adhesion forces between the wipes canalso play a role in the above interactions.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the overlap 19 between twoconsecutive wipes is between about 15 mm and about 30 mm for a wipelength 18 of about 150 mm, and the corner gap between about 3 and about5 mm.

In certian embodiments of the invention the wipes have a corner gap 20that is a constant throughout the stack. In other embodiments, it hasbeen observed that a variable corner gap 20, trailing panel length 10and thus the resulting overlap 19 can induce some dispensing advantages.For example, a corner gap 2 that is between about 8 and about 10 mm forthe first 10 wipes of a stack of 48 and that is then between about 3 andabout 4 mm for rest of the wipes in the stack has been shown to provideadvantages for the dispensing (i.e. more uniform and reliabledispensing). This was observed for a stack of wipes in a flexible filmpouch, having the following dimensions: wipes length about 150 mm, wipeswidth about 110 mm, leading panel length about 45 mm (first ten wipes),leading panel length about 40 mm (wipes # 11 to 48), central panellength about 80 mm, trailing panel length about 25 mm (first ten wipes),trailing panel length about 30 mm (wipes #11 to 48), stack dimension,(height about 44 mm, width about 90 mm, length about 110 mm) dispensingorifice dimension about 30 mm in diameter. The variable corner gap andtrailing panel length can vary step by step throughout the height of thestack or can continuously (e.g. linearly) vary between two extremevalues. This has also been shown when the variable corner gap andtrailing panel length is combined with the present invention.

The external envelop 2 of the pack of wipes 1 of the invention can be aflexible film, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the externalenvelope can be a rigid container as illustrated in FIG. 4. Optionallythe dispensing orifice can be reversibly covered by a lid 16.

The central panel 8 of the wipes of the pack of the present inventioncan be a single panel as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 9. Alternatively,the central panel 8 can comprise a fold and hence comprise more than onepanel.

FIG. 2 shows the interfolding configuration of the wipes in a stack ofFIG. 1. The interfolding configuration is further illustrated in moredetails by FIGS. 3 and 9. As shown on FIG. 3 and 9, a portion of theleading panel 6 b and a portion of the central panel 8 b of the secondwipe is located in between a portion of the central panel 8 a and of thetrailing panel 10 a of the first wipe in the stack. Other interfoldingconfigurations are however possible and within the scope of theinvention. In one embodiment of interfolded wipes, the characteristicsof the wipes and the dimensions of the dispensing orifice dimensions areas shown in Table 2a. TABLE 2 Separation Shape and force (as dimensionmeasured Wipes substrate of opening by method and dimension Lotioncomposition orifice described) Table 2a - Wipes dimensions: Ingredients:Aqua, circular 30 mm 1.15 N Pack of the 110 mm × 150 mm PropyleneGlycol, diameter invention - Dry caliper 0.5 mm Phenoxyethanol, PEG-Interfolded Basis weight: 60 g/m² 40 Hydrogenated wipes (as SubstrateCastor Oil, Trilaureth- illustrated by composition 4 Phosphate, e.g.FIG. 3) 40% pulp/60% Methylparaben, Lyocell blend Sodium Phosphate,Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Bis- PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16Dimethicone, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum, Caprylic/CapricTriglyceride, Hydroxycitronellal, Amyl Cinnamal Table 2b - WipesDimensions: Ingredients: Aqua, rectangular 1.15 N Pack of wipes 110 mm ×150 mm Dimethicone, 35 mm × 45 mm of the (folding: length of PropyleneGlycol, invention, leading panel 36 mm, Phenoxyethanol, non- centrepanel Sodium Acrylate/ interfolded 80 mm, trailing Vinyl Isodecanoatewipes (as panel 36 mm. Crosspolymer, illustrated e.g. Dry Caliper 0.5 mmMethylparaben, in FIG. 8) Basis weight: 60 g/m² Disodium EDTA, As soldunder Parfum, Charmin Soft Propylparaben, & Fresh Ethylparaben,trademark in Polysorbate 20. Germany in September 2005

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the invention where the wipes 3 are notinterfolded. In this embodiment, the characteristics of the wipes (e.g.substrate material of the wipes, impregnating composition) are such thatthe dispensing of the first wipe in the stack induces the lift of aportion of the leading panel 6 a and of a portion of the central panel 8b of the second wipe. It creates an exposed leading portion comprisingboth a portion of the leading panel 6 b and a portion of the centralpanel 8 a, both portions 6 a and 8 a contacting together upondispensing. In one embodiment of non interfolded wipes, thecharacteristics of the wipes and the dimensions of the dispensingorifice dimensions are as shown in Table 2b.

It is to be noted that the figures are only schematic representations.In particular FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, the distance between the exposedportions of the leading panel 6 a and of the central panel have beenexaggerated. As detailed above and in the claims, these portions may bein contact with each other.

In one embodiment of the invention, the separation force between thewipes is between about 0.05 N and about 5 N or between about 0.1 N andabout 2 N. In a particular embodiment, the separation force is about1.15 N. The separation force is measured as described hereafter. Withoutdesiring to be bound by the theory, it is believed that separationforces within the cited range, possibly associated with the citeddimension of the dispensing orifice and the overlap area 19, induce thecorrect forces to create an exposed leading portion comprising a portionof the leading and a portion of the central panel of the second wipecontacting together upon dispensing of the first wipe.

Measurement Method for Separation Force:

For measuring separation forces, twenty wipes are unfolded and placedflat on top of each other so as to overlap the leading panels of thewipes; the dimension of the overlapping zone is 12 cm. When a lotion ispresent on the wipes the sides of the wipes comprising the lotion areoverlapped. The stack of wipes is compressed with 40 kg for 15 secondsover a surface of 25 cm×25 cm or to an equivalent pressure. Acompression stand is used to apply the pressure (PSP-Lockwood GreenPressure Device, manufacturer: PSP-Lockwood Greene GmbH, Germany—usedaccording to manufacturer instructions). Samples are stored prior toseparation force measurement for 72 hours +/−4 hours at a constanttemperature (25° C.) and constant relative humidity,(50% relativehumidity).

The reported separation force is the maximum (peak) force observedduring the vertical separation of two consecutive wipes in the stack(One pair of wipes is removed from the stack and fixed in the tensiletester for measurement). The separation force is measured with a tensiletester (ZWICK Roell Tensile Tester, type BTC-FR2, Zwick GmbH & Co. KG,Ulm, Germany). The tester is used according to manufacturerinstructions. The operation parameters are as follows: start distanceclamps: 270 mm, clamps with flat rubber surface, width 60 mm, pre-force:0.05 N, pull-speed: 300 mm/min, load-cell: 10-20 N with resolution of0.01 N.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaningor definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

The dimensions and/or values disclosed herein are not to be understoodas being strictly limited to the exact dimension and/or numerical valuerecited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension and/ornumerical value is intended to mean both the recited dimension and/ornumerical value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatdimension and/or numerical value. For example, a dimension disclosed as“40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A pack of wipes comprising: a plurality of wipes arranged in a stack;and, an external envelope enclosing said stack; said external envelopecomprising a dispensing orifice; each of said plurality of wipes beingfolded, each of said folded wipes comprising a leading panel, a centralpanel, a trailing panel, a leading fold and a trailing fold, whereinsaid leading fold separates said leading panel from said central paneland said trailing fold separates said central panel from said trailingpanel; and said stack having a first wipe and a second wipe, said firstwipe being a wipe disposed proximate said dispensing orifice and saidsecond wipe being positioned sequentially adjacent and in contactingengagement with said first wipe; wherein said first wipe remains incontacting engagement with said second wipe during removal of said firstwipe through said dispensing orifice; and, wherein said removal of saidfirst wipe through said dispensing orifice induces a portion of saidcentral panel of said second wipe and a portion of said leading panel ofsaid second wipe to protrude from said dispensing orifice.
 2. The packof wipes of claim 1, wherein said wipes are interfolded such as to havea portion of said trailing panel of said first wipe and a portion ofsaid central panel of said first wipe surrounding both a portion of saidleading panel of said second wipe and a portion of said central panel ofsaid second wipe.
 3. The pack of wipes of claim 1 wherein said wipeshave a width and said dispensing orifice having a length, said lengthbeing oriented parallel to said width of said wipes and said length ofsaid dispensing orifice is between about 10% and about 80% of said widthof said wipes.
 4. The pack of wipes of claim 1, wherein the separationforce of said first wipe from said second wipe is between about 0.05 Nand about 5 N.
 5. The pack of wipes of claim 4, wherein the separationforce of said first wipe from said second wipe is between about 0.1 Nand about 2 N.
 6. The pack of wipes of claim 1, wherein said centralpanel it divided into two panels.
 7. The pack of wipes of claim 1wherein said external envelope comprises a flexible film material. 8.The pack of wipes of claim 1, wherein said external envelope issubstantially rigid.
 9. The pack of wipes of claim 1 wherein saiddispensing orifice has length and a width, said length being more thantwice said width.
 10. The pack of wipes of claim 1 wherein saiddispensing orifice is substantially oval or circular.